Arc 431018, "Burning the Scourge"

Arc number: 431018
Level range: 45 - 50
Number of maps: 4
Overall length: Medium (The maps are all pretty short.)

It should be worth mentioning that this thread, like any thread of this type, is SPOILERS AHOY. Can't discuss the arc without getting into its plot.

I am very interested in constructive criticism of this arc. In terms of plotline it's nothing extraordinary; a viral mutagen has been released in the Rogue Isles and the villains have to stop robbing and murdering each other for a bit to step in and deal with it. It's holding at four stars and I'd like to know what it takes to get a non-farm arc up to a solid five.

Early player criticisms have mostly focused around the custom critters. At first the maps were loaded with spines and thorns enemies, at least half of whom had a poison secondary. The heavy def / res debuffs could kill any but the most ludicrously jacked up tanks on higher diffs. I've since throttled the customs back considerably; I've added many more minion and lieutenant types so the spines and thorns users are fewer, and the only critter now with the poisons secondary is a single type of LT who has a dark green skin tone for easy identification.

The arc is meant to be at least somewhat challenging; it can't be soloed with just any toon out of your inventory. Solo squishies are in for a very rough time. I feel that making the arc so easy that a level 6 dominator can solo it would render it pointless, though. So, if you're willing, give my little arc a run and please let me know what you think!

I think you've answered your own question as to why you're not getting 5 stars (challenge arcs are not generally well liked; stories aren't usually any good on them and they aren't any good for farming, and they get people killed on top of that).

You've got me curious, though.

WARNING: I bold names.

Play notes:
*Completed on Daemodand, my 50+1 MA/SR/Body Scrapper (only Alpha slotted no other Incarnate abilities). Difficulty +1x8. No defeats.

*Morality. I like an arc to choose a morality and go with it full throttle. Neutral arcs I normally avoid. Most players like to feel villainous on their Villains and heroic on the Heroes. Neutral doesn't feed into that.

*Archvillains, EBs and Extreme Elite Bosses? There's a lot of players who wouldn't even look at your arc based on that (I'm normally one of them but I'm making an exception because I'm feeling helpful today).

*Mission intro text looks well written and sets up an interesting situation with the flame traps.

*The customs look good. It's questionable, given their background, if they should be this strong, though. Look at similar-background critters in the game (e.g. Infected).

*First mission outtro text has an error: "IGive me the camera".

*Second mission gave me a tough time in the final sewer room (I seemed to pull the entire room down on my head at once) but I survived. I like that I didn't have to take the hostage to the entrance. The Malta were tougher than usual; were those customs or am I paranoid?

*Third mission gave me a good scare in the last room as well fighting Longbow and Malta simultaneously, but I came through without defeat. My main Daemodand really is a solid performer these days.

*Final mission. Why are there multiple Dr. Jennings? And they have "This civilian is in over his head" as a description. Final fight was once again a scramble, but made it through undefeated. Why is Longbow involved? Arc didn't explain their involvement very well as far as I noticed.

*Gave 5 stars to start you on your way. These days I use 5 stars as a thumbs-up and 1 as a thumbs-down, no middle ground.

WARNING: I bold names.

Thanks for your input and your rating. I'll take on your questions point for point when I get home from work, but for the short term I just wanted to let you know that I appreciate you taking a look at the arc.

One other question I do have for you and for anyone else who might try the arc: how was the ticket output? The arc is not a farm but I hope it's tossing out a reasonable number of tickets.

Looks like I got approximately 3,400 tickets? Bah, I don't remember how many tickets I had before starting, but I don't think it was very many.

WARNING: I bold names.

There's nothing wrong with a challenge arc, if that's what you want. They just don't get a lot of good ratings, so it's up to you.

I wouldn't take Malta out. I think they're fine. I guess their unusual difficulty was a result of the room they were in as you mentioned.

The mission text for mission four explained Longbow's presence? Hmm. May have to go back and check it out again. I'm usually pretty good about reading mission text as I enjoy it a lot when it's well done.

Anyway, good luck and keep up the good work!

WARNING: I bold names.

I'm not going for a challenge arc...at this point the only EB left in the mish is the final boss. One EB in a 41 - 50 arc doesn't make it a challenge arc, does it? Or does it?